Stand alone microfluidic analytical chip device

ABSTRACT

Provided is an analytical device including: a self-flowing microfluidic system, having a sample extraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber; wherein the sample extraction location, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by at least one microfluidic channel on a first substrate; and a signal readout system, having at least one sample analysis elements, and a data gathering and processing element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent filing is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/600,606, titled STAND ALONE MICROFLUIDIC ANALYTICAL CHIPDEVICE, filed 19 May 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/338,955, titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORPROGRAMMABLE SPATIALLY SELECTIVE NANOSCALE SURFACE FUNCTIONALIZATION,filed 19 May 2016; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/338996, titledPUMP-FREE MICROFLUIDIC ANALYTICAL CHIP, filed 19 May 2016; U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/339002, titled PUMP-FREE MICROFLUIDICANALYTICAL SYSTEMS, filed 19 May 2016; and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/339008, titled STAND ALONE PUMP-FREE MICROFLUIDICANALYTICAL CHIP DEVICE, filed 19 May 2016. The content of each of theseearlier filed patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure related to point of care diagnostic devices,medical testing devices, in vitro testing, and systems for collectingand displaying analytical testing data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microfluidic devices provide significant flexibility to personsperforming testing of samples because microfluidic devices may acceptand process sample sizes significantly smaller than those of traditionalchemical assays. In vitro and point-of-care testing of biologicalsamples may become less expensive by further reducing a sample size of amicrofluidic analytical chip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some aspects include an analytical device comprising: a self-flowingmicrofluidic system, having a sample extraction location, at least onesample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber;wherein the sample extraction location, the sample preparation location,and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by atleast one microfluidic channel on a first substrate; and a signalreadout system, having at least one sample analysis elements, and a datagathering and processing element.

Some aspects include an analytical device comprising: a signal readoutsystem, having a card reader slot, at least one sample analysis element,and a data gathering and processing element, wherein plurality of sampleanalysis detection elements, the data processing element and the datatransmission element are communicatively connected by a communicationelement, and wherein the card reader slot is configured to accept a testcard comprising a pump-free microfluidic system, having a sampleextraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and atleast one sample analytical chamber; wherein the sample extractionlocation, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sampleanalytical chamber are interconnected by at least one microfluidicchannel on a first substrate.

Some aspects include an arrangement comprising: a signal readout system,having a card reader slot, at least one sample analysis element, and adata gathering and processing element, wherein plurality of sampleanalysis detection elements, the data processing element and the datatransmission element are communicatively connected by a communicationelement, and wherein the card reader slot is configured to accept a testcard comprising a pump-free microfluidic system, having a sampleextraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and atleast one sample analytical chamber; wherein the sample extractionlocation, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sampleanalytical chamber are interconnected by at least one microfluidicchannel on a first substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawing and in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a microfluidic chip testing device;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a microfluidic chip testingdevice having a microfluidic chip test card inserted therein;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a microfluidic chip test card that can beinserted into a microfluidic chip testing device; and

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a microfluidic analytical chipcompatible with a standalone microfluidic analytical chip system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Microfluidic devices have become increasingly popular in point-of-carediagnostics and in vitro testing of samples because of the reducedsample size associated with using a microfluidic chip in a testingscenario. Smaller sample sizes are associated with lower cost testingbecause smaller sample sizes involve a reduction in the quantity ofchemical reagents in performing chemical assays, and involve fasterprocessing time for obtaining results from analysis of samples using themicrofluidic chip. Microfluidic analytical chip testing may be moreconvenient for a user because the testing equipment may be smaller thanlaboratory equipment associated with traditional laboratory testmethods.

Microfluidic chips may contain, in reservoirs on the microfluidic chip,chemical reagents associated with performing a chemical test or assay.Some embodiments of microfluidic chips may be used and discarded aftertesting by a chip reader configured to receive, and interconnect with,microfluidic chips inserted therein. A microfluidic analytical chip mayreduce total cost of chemical reagents (because smaller quantities maybe used), greater portability, cleaner testing conditions (chips may besealed, and then opened on an as-needed basis), and more rapid testingresults because of progress in testing device automation.

Convenience and desirability of using microfluidic chips for chemicalassays may be further increased by providing a portable microfluidicchip analyzer or reader device which can interface with electricalconnections or optical windows of the microfluidic chip. Portablemicrofluidic chip systems may have portable power reserves, and may haveeconomies of scale associated with inexpensive testing.

Further, developments in wireless communication and users' increasingcomfort with using portable electronics to consume and interact withcollected electronic data may further promote the desirability ofportable microfluidic chip reading devices. In an embodiment, anintegrated microfluidic chip testing device, having a microfluidic chipembedded in a single use testing card, may prove popular for users inoutdoor or field conditions, where consistent power supplies and dataconnections may be irregular.

A microfluidic chip may include a first substrate that has beenprocessed in order to contain a plurality of microfluidic channels.Microfluidic channels may be pressed into a top surface of thesubstrate, etched into the substrate by removing substrate material, ormay be formed on a flat top surface of the substrate byfunctionalization of the top surface using, e.g., a plasma process thatinduces a chemical change in the substrate surface. Surfacefunctionalization may improve a performance characteristic (such asevaporation loss) of recessed microfluidic channels. A chemical changein the substrate surface may promote spontaneous movement of a fluidacross the top of the substrate without use of external pressure, pumps,or other devices to move fluid through the microfluidic channels. Fluidhanding equipment associated with pump-driven microfluidic testing maybe omitted from analytical chip testing systems that employ microfluidicanalytical chips having self-flowing (or, spontaneously flowing)microfluidic channels.

A microfluidic chip may include a sample extraction location, a samplepreparation location, and sample analysis locations interconnected bythe microfluidic channels. Microfluidic channels may be portions of asubstrate top surface that have been modified to have greater attractionto a component of a sample. In an embodiment, a microfluidic chip may bemade of a polymeric substance such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)having a pattern of enhanced hydrophilicity (caused by more oxygen on asubstrate surface) on the top surface formed by plasma processing aplurality of patterned regions to form microfluidic channels.

Sample extraction locations of the microfluidic chip may be configuredto direct a fluid applied to an opening of the sample extractionlocation into one or more of the microfluidic channels in themicrofluidic chip. Sample extraction locations may include arrays ofmicroneedles, or recesses into which a fluid may be added by, e.g.,insertion from a syringe containing a fluid example, or placing a dropof fluid example on the surface extraction location opening.

A microfluidic chip may conclude a plurality of sample preparationlocations including one or more of reagent chambers for holding chemicalreagents, membrane chambers and filter chambers for separatingcomponents a fluid example, micrometer chambers for maintaining atemperature of a sample or heating a sample to promote a chemicalreaction, fluid mixing chambers fluid separation chambers, and chambersfor performing chromatographic separation.

Sample preparation locations may be quick used singly, or in groups, inorder to prepare a volume of fluid example for analysis in a sampleanalysis location of the microfluidic chip. Sample analysis locationsmay include sample analysis elements such as electrochemical analysischambers, optical analysis chambers, biomaterial analysis chambers, orspectrophotometry chambers. In some embodiments, a fluid example may bedivided into multiple volumes prepared in similar fashions but directedto different sample analysis locations to ascertain a variety ofanalytical results on sample volumes that have been prepared in asimilar manner.

One desirable feature of portable microfluidic analytical chip readerdevices may be the ability to use a microfluidic analytical chip in aportable reader device without resorting to the use of externalpressure, external pumping systems, or fluid reservoirs in order to moveportions of the fluid example through a microfluidic analytical chip. Amicrofluidic analytical chip that has been generated by functionalizingsurfaces of the analytical chip to undergo self-displacement through themicrofluidic chip may significantly reduce the weight, the size, andpower specifications associated with microfluidic analytic chip testingin a portable reader device. In an embodiment of a microfluidic analyticchip reader device configured to receive pump-free microfluidicanalytical chips, a power supply, optical illuminators, filtering andcollection optics, and detectors, and electrochemical module driverboards may be included in a single-use or disposable reader devicehaving a self-contained, non-removable microfluidic analytical chip.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a microfluidic chip testing device (ananalytical device) 100, outlining subsystems and components of thetesting device that perform various testing functions. Analytical devicecomprises an optical module driver board 102, and electrochemical moduledriver board 104, an optical module 106 for generating filtering anddetecting light, a signal processing and encryption module 112, andelectrochemical module 110 for interpreting signals generated atelectrodes within a test card or microfluidic analytical chip 108inserted into the analytical device 100. Analytical device 100 furtherincludes supporting infrastructure 114 which may include coolingdevices, a power supply, structural support, and interactive elementsconfigured to receive input from a user and to provide output to a user.Analytical device 100 may include a power connection bus (not shown)configured to interconnect modules of the analytical device (e.g.,optical module, optical module driver board 102, electrochemical moduledriver board 104, electrochemical module 110, or signal processing andencryption module 112) for purposes of providing power and receivingdata from analytical chambers of the analytical device.

Analytical device 100 may transmit, from signal processing andencryption module 112, to an external computing device 116, informationregarding analytical results collected by analytical device 100 fromvolumes of fluid example processed through microfluidic analytical chip108. External computing device 116 may include an input/output modulefor communicating with the analytical device and with external databasessuch as external storage database 120. External computing device mayinclude a mode of entering information to communicate with an analyticaldevice, as well as a mode of adjusting the presentation of informationfrom the external computing device to a user or to an external storagedatabase 120.

Microfluidic analytical chip 108 may include a number of preloadedchemicals stored in sample preparation locations awaiting theintroduction of a fluid example through a sample extraction location ofthe microfluidic analytical chip. Microfluidic analytical chip 108 maybe, in some embodiments, inserted and removed from the analytical device100. Analytical device 100 may be mechanically isolated and sealed toform a light proof seal to promote accurate optical testing results.

Upon insertion of microfluidic analytical chip 108 into analyticaldevice 100, and formation of a light proof seal, illuminators 106A maygenerate an optical signal transmitted through filtering and collectionoptics 106B of the optical module into detectors 106C. An optical pathof the optical signal may extend through optical analysis chamberslocated in microfluidic analytical chip 108. Of light from opticalmodule 106 may shine through an optical analytical chamber. In someembodiments, a path for detection of light from an optical analyticalchamber may be perpendicular to a path for light transmission throughthe optical analytical chamber. An optical module driver board may beconfigured to regulate light intensity, a selection of illuminators 106Aturned on during a particular microfluidic test process, and may performsignal processing and encryption of data from a subset of the opticalpathways present in the analytical device. Optical module 106 mayoperate in different modes, according to an operational parametertransmitted to the optical module. Some modes may involve performingfluorimetry on a fluidic sample. Some modes may involve absorptionspectroscopy. Some optical module operational modes may involve otheroptical analytical techniques compatible with small sample sizes, wherelight from an optical source passes through a fluidic sample in a singlepass. Some optical module operational modes involve passing light formthe optical source through a sample two or more times, increasing themagnitude of a signal for the optical test. In some embodiments, a usermay indicate to the analytic device a type of optical test to beperformed using an external computing device 116 to program theanalytical device. In some embodiments, a testing card having amicrofluidic analytical chip incorporated therein may be configured tocontain and transmit an instruction about what optical mode(s) can beperformed using a microfluidic analytical chip (i.e., not all chips maybe able to perform all test, so an instruction from the chip to theanalytical device may communicate regarding what optical cells may beavailable, what wavelengths to use, a duration of a test, etc. . . . ).

Electrochemical module driver board 104 may be configured to detect ananalytical signal being generated by an electrochemical analysis chamberin microfluidic analytical chip 108. Electrochemical module driver board100 for me also be configured to instruct signal processing andencryption module 112 to receive, from electrochemical module 110,signals generated by microfluidic analytical chip 108 during a testingprocess.

Optical module 106 may include detectors 106C configured to detect thepresence of biomarkers or other components of a fluid example down toconcentrations of 1 picomol/liter (pmol/l), and up to 1000micromol/liter (μmol/l), according to embodiments analytical device 100may be configured to scale with different sizes of fluid examplesaccording to a number of tests directed to be performed on the fluidsample during an analytical process. According to an embodiment, theelectrochemical module may be configured to detect currents fromelectrodes in the microfluidic analytical chip ranging fromapproximately one picoamp (pA) 21 milliamp (mA).

According to an embodiment, supporting infrastructure 114 of analyticaldevice 100 may receive input from user and display output to user. In anembodiment, the input and output may include information regarding testresults from microfluidic analytical chip 108. External computing device116 may be configured, upon receipt of information regarding testresults from the analytical device, to receive 117A the information thesignal processing and encryption device, and to transmit 117B theinformation to an external storage database 120, configured to permitusers 118, or computing devices 122, to query the database, analyze thedata stored therein, and process or display the testing information.Testing system 130 may be a portable system, or may be a networkedsystem incorporated into a medical care facility.

FIG. 2 depicts a stand alone testing system 200 having a microfluidicanalytical chip card 201 inserted into an opening 210 of the standalonetesting system. Microfluidic chip includes a first substrate 202 with asecond substrate 204 located on a top side of the first substrate.Microfluidic path 206 extends between the first and second substrates,with a sample extraction location 208 in the second substrate to allowpassage of a fluidic sample into the microfluidic analytical chip card201. Standalone testing system 200 comprises an optical source 212, anoptical beam 213, and an optical detector 216 positioned at a proximalend of the microfluidic analytical chip chard 210 inserted into opening210. Optical beam 213 extends through microfluidic path 206 to extractinformation about the fluidic sample in the microfluidic path 206.Standalone testing system 200 also comprises filters 214 to modifyoptical beam 213 between optical source 212 and optical detector 216. Inan embodiment, filters reduce polarization and glare from the opticalsource 212 on the optical detector. Standalone testing system 200 mayalso contain an electronics board 216 configured to communicate with,and to control, other components of the standalone testing system 200,and an input/output controller 218 to receive and to transmit a signalcontaining information regarding the tested fluidic sample in themicrofluidic analytical chip card 201. I/O controller 218 may beelectrically connected to another computing device to promotecommunication of data and instructions regarding operation of standalone

FIG. 3 depicts microfluidic analytical chip 300. Microfluidic analyticalchip 300 includes a plurality of sample preparation chambers 300 to,which may include chemical reservoirs for adding compounds to a fluidexample added to the microfluidic analytical chip. The microfluidic chipmay also contain a plurality of microfluidic channels 301, extendingfrom sample preparation chambers 302 toward sample analysis chambers 310and waste chambers 314. According to an embodiment, sample analysischambers may include optical analysis chambers and electrochemicalanalysis chambers. A reference electrode chamber 312 may be located onmicrofluidic analytical chip 300 in order to provide a reference voltagefor electrical measurements performed during analysis of a fluidexample. The microfluidic chip may contain a sample preparation region306 in which chemical treatments are performed on microfluidic samplebeneath a second substrate 308 which covers sample preparation area 306during operation of the microfluidic chip. Microfluidic analytical chip300 may also include a plurality of measurement pads 304 four electrodesconnected to sample analysis chambers 300 on the microfluidic chip.Measurement pads 304 may be configured to make electrical contact with astandalone microfluidic analytical chip device when the microfluidicanalytical chip 300 is inserted into a receiving slot of the standaloneanalytic device.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a microfluidic analytical chiptest card 400, comprising a first substrate 402 and a second substrate404. For some stray 402 may have imprinted thereon, a fluidic path 406configured to process a fluid example introduced into microfluidicanalytical chip test card 400. Microfluidic analytical chip test card400 may also include a light source 414 positioned above an opticaldetector 408 such that a portion of microfluidic path 406 extendsbetween light source 414 and optical detector 408. Microfluidicanalytical chip test card 400 may further include an electrochemicaldetector 410 positioned to make contact with a portion of microfluidicpath 406 during operation of the analytical chip test card. Microfluidicanalytical chip test card 400 may include, in some embodiments, anindependent power supply, or battery 414, a data-gathering andprocessing element 415, and a communication device 416. In anembodiment, communication device 416 may be a wired communication deviceconfigured to make direct flex contract with a portion of a microfluidicanalytical chip device. In an embodiment, education device 416 may be anRFID or wireless education device configured to transmit anelectromagnetic signal to a receiving station in an analytical device orin an external computing device. Microfluidic analytical chip test card400 may also include a plurality of electrical contacts 412 figured tomake electrical contact with power or communication elements of astandalone microfluidic analytical chip device into which the analyticaltest card is inserted.

According to an embodiment, optical source 414 may be a light emittingdiode, a laser, or some other light source, including a solid statelight source embedded into analytical chip test card 400. In anembodiment, optical detector 408 and electrochemical detector 410 maymake direct electrical contact with a standalone microfluidic analyticalchip device to transmit test data.

In some embodiments, the analytical system described herein may operateupon an analytical chip like that described in a U.S. Patent Applicationtitled SELF-FLOWING MICROFLUIDIC ANALYTICAL CHIP filed on the same dayas this patent filing, the contents of which are incorporated byreference. In some embodiments, the analytical chip may be manufacturedwith a patterning device like that described in a U.S. PatentApplication titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMABLE SPATIALLYSELECTIVE NANOSCALE SURFACE FUNCTIONALIZATION filed on the same day asthis patent filing, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An analytical device comprising: a self-flowingmicrofluidic system, having a sample extraction location, at least onesample preparation location, and at least one sample analytical chamber;wherein the sample extraction location, the sample preparation location,and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by atleast one microfluidic channel on a first substrate; and a signalreadout system, having at least one sample analysis elements, and a datagathering and processing element.
 2. The analytical device of claim 1,further comprising a data transmission element, wherein plurality ofsample analysis detection elements, the data processing element and thedata transmission element are communicatively connected by acommunication element.
 3. The analytical device of claim 1, wherein theat least one sample analytical chamber further comprises at least one ofan electrochemical analysis chamber; an optical analysis chamber; and abiomaterial analysis chamber.
 4. The analytical device of claim 3,wherein the electrochemical analysis chamber is configured to perform anelectrophoresis process.
 5. The analytical device of claim 1, whereinthe at least one sample preparation chamber is configured to perform acolumn chromatography process on a volume of fluid.
 6. The analyticaldevice of claim 1, wherein the signal readout system further comprisesat least one of: a light source; an optical detector; and anelectrochemical detector.
 7. The analytical device of claim 6, whereinthe optical detector and the electrochemical detector are in a samesample analysis chamber of the self-flowing microfluidic system.
 8. Theanalytical device of claim 6, wherein the data processing elementfurther comprises a data processing chip configured to manipulate anelectrical signal from at least one of the optical detector or theelectrochemical detector.
 9. The analytical device of claim 1, furthercomprising an electrical power source and a power distribution networkinterconnecting the electrical power source, the plurality of sampleanalysis detection elements, the data processing element, and the datatransmission element.
 10. The analytical device of claim 6, wherein theat least one optical detector is configured to perform a fluorimetryprocess.
 11. The analytical device of claim 1, wherein the at least onesample preparation location is further configured to perform at leastone of: filtering a fluidic sample; mixing a chemical reagent with thefluidic sample; heating the fluidic sample.
 12. The analytical device ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one sample preparation is configured tofilter the fluidic sample with at least one of a membrane or a filterelement.
 13. The analytical device of claim 1, wherein the sampleextraction location further comprises at least one of an array ofmicro-needles to receive a fluidic sample into the analytical device andan orifice to receive a deposited sample.
 14. The analytical device ofclaim 1, further comprising a visual display communicatively connectedto a visual display regulating element, wherein the visual displayregulating element is configured to receive, via a communicativeconnection, information regarding a fluidic sample from a dataprocessing element or a data transmission element, and to transmit theinformation to the visual display.
 15. The analytical device of claim 1,wherein the pump-free microfluidic system and the signal readout systemare integrated into a single system substrate.
 16. An analytical devicecomprising: a signal readout system, having a card reader slot, at leastone sample analysis element, and a data gathering and processingelement, wherein plurality of sample analysis detection elements, thedata processing element and the data transmission element arecommunicatively connected by a communication element, and wherein thecard reader slot is configured to accept a test card comprising apump-free microfluidic system, having a sample extraction location, atleast one sample preparation location, and at least one sampleanalytical chamber; wherein the sample extraction location, the samplepreparation location, and the at least one sample analytical chamber areinterconnected by at least one microfluidic channel on a firstsubstrate.
 17. The analytical device of claim 16, further comprising atest card interface configured to electrically connect the communicationelement to an electrochemical sensor of the test card.
 18. Theanalytical device of claim 16, further comprising a data transmissionelement.
 19. An arrangement comprising: a signal readout system, havinga card reader slot, at least one sample analysis element, and a datagathering and processing element, wherein plurality of sample analysisdetection elements, the data processing element and the datatransmission element are communicatively connected by a communicationelement, and wherein the card reader slot is configured to accept a testcard comprising a pump-free microfluidic system, having a sampleextraction location, at least one sample preparation location, and atleast one sample analytical chamber; wherein the sample extractionlocation, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sampleanalytical chamber are interconnected by at least one microfluidicchannel on a first substrate.